Structure of the neurotensin receptor 1 in complex with β-arrestin 1.

Arrestin proteins bind to active, phosphorylated G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), thereby preventing G-protein coupling, triggering receptor internalization and affecting various downstream signalling pathways(1,2). Although there is a wealth of structural information detailing the interactions between GPCRs and G proteins, less is known about how arrestins engage GPCRs. Here we report a cryo-electron microscopy structure of full-length human neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1) in complex with truncated human β-arrestin 1 (βarr1(ΔCT)). We find that phosphorylation of NTSR1 is critical for the formation of a stable complex with βarr1(ΔCT), and identify phosphorylated sites in both the third intracellular loop and the C terminus that may promote this interaction. In addition, we observe a phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate molecule forming a bridge between the membrane side of NTSR1 transmembrane segments 1 and 4 and the C-lobe of arrestin. Compared with a structure of a rhodopsin-arrestin-1 complex, in our structure arrestin is rotated by approximately 85° relative to the receptor. These findings highlight both conserved aspects and plasticity among arrestin-receptor interactions.